Question for all Breeders???

[heavenlyyorkies]

I let people come in, but I have them wash their hands prior to handling any of the puppies. If you are really concerned with cleanliness, such as if the puppies are kept in a sterile room for their own reasons, have the visitor wear the covers on their feet, same as what a nurse/doctor will wear.
I think it is a good thing for both the puppy buyer and the breeder for the potential new owner to come to the house to see the puppies, because the buyer gets to see the puppy in it's "natural" environment, and through this you can see their personalities and temperaments. For me, as a breeder, I can really read a person up front on whether they are an acceptable buyer.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by phfgkl

Well, my breeding days don't start for another year or so, but, I doubt I will want anyone coming to my house, and not because I have anything to hide, but, with the economy like it is, and so many wierdos out there, and hubby traveling, to me, it's not safe. I think I would rather meet people at a place where there are other people around

I hope you rethink this, I understand where your coming from, but in essence you are saying you don't care if your dogs go to some weirdo's house. You must develop a relationship with a potential buyer. Get references, and vet references if possible, know their home address, and interview them over the phone before you even consider allowing them to see your babies. Ask them about past pets, and how they discipline pets. If they wish to see pictures, send them pictures via-email, but the important thing to remember is you are not selling a dog, you are "placing" a dog. A responsible breeder does everything in their power to insure; that the dogs they have placed will be provided an excellent home and will never need to be rehomed. If I did not feel comfortable having someone to my home, there is no way I would place a puppy in that household. BE CHOOSY!

[rbelland]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I hope you rethink this, I understand where your coming from, but in essence you are saying you don't care if your dogs go to some weirdo's house. You must develop a relationship with a potential buyer. Get references, and vet references if possible, know their home address, and interview them over the phone before you even consider allowing them to see your babies. Ask them about past pets, and how they discipline pets. If they wish to see pictures, send them pictures via-email, but the important thing to remember is you are not selling a dog, you are "placing" a dog. A responsible breeder does everything in their power to insure; that the dogs they have placed will be provided an excellent home and will never need to be rehomed. If I did not feel comfortable having someone to my home, there is no way I would place a puppy in that household. BE CHOOSY!

I totaly agree, I want potential buyers to come to my home. I want them to see parents and surroundings Just because someone sounds nice on the phone does not mean in person that I am going to feel that this is a great place for my puppy to go.

[SET Yorkies]

Originally Posted by blueskies

Wow, should I be offended? I mentioned several of these things in my first post that I do, and I am certainly not a puppy mill, but I would rather keep my dogs safe by putting them in other rooms of the house when people come. It makes for less clutter and noise, and I know where everybody is after the person leaves. I have also met halfway, but not because I didn't want people to see my home, I was just more comfortable meeting in a public place. I don't think you are automatically a bad breeder or a bad person for doing these things to keep your dogs safe, especially since there have been many cases where people have stolen dogs from breeders or done other horrible things. For me, a kennel is not something I could do, both for the sake of my dogs and lack of space. I prefer to have and raise mine in my home, so as you mentioned in your second post, it does make it quite difficult to have people going through your home and looking in your private bedrooms and bathrooms (where most of the dogs are kept when people come over).

I certainly did not intend to offend.... These are just personal observations after many years of breeding, visiting lots of breeders / kennels, and calls to take in dogs that have been stacked in crates in a uhall in someone's backyard or left unattended for weeks in a bath tub in someone's "back bathroom". It wears on you after a while.....

[blueskies]

Originally Posted by SET Yorkies

I certainly did not intend to offend.... These are just personal observations after many years of breeding, visiting lots of breeders / kennels, and calls to take in dogs that have been stacked in crates in a uhall in someone's backyard or left unattended for weeks in a bath tub in someone's "back bathroom". It wears on you after a while.....

Oh how terrible, . No nothing like that here, I am happy to show any of my dogs but I just prefer to do it a couple at a time when I'm by myself.

[SET Yorkies]

Originally Posted by blueskies

Oh how terrible, . No nothing like that here, I am happy to show any of my dogs but I just prefer to do it a couple at a time when I'm by myself.

Just always be careful especially when you are alone.... the minute you get a "feeling" something isn't right, your intuition is probably correct.... I had this couple come once when we were still showing in the house and the guy immediately asked to use the restroom which just really felt odd to me.... She wasn't even that interested in the puppies and the minute he came out of the wc she was ready to leave, maybe 10 minutes total... later I found that our bathroom window was unlocked... maybe a coincidence but maybe not...It made me super uncomfortable.... I guess that is the biggest thing I try to stress to new breeders.... you cannot be too careful.

[heavenlyyorkies]

Originally Posted by SET Yorkies

Just always be careful especially when you are alone.... the minute you get a "feeling" something isn't right, your intuition is probably correct.... I had this couple come once when we were still showing in the house and the guy immediately asked to use the restroom which just really felt odd to me.... She wasn't even that interested in the puppies and the minute he came out of the wc she was ready to leave, maybe 10 minutes total... later I found that our bathroom window was unlocked... maybe a coincidence but maybe not...It made me super uncomfortable.... I guess that is the biggest thing I try to stress to new breeders.... you cannot be too careful.

Wow, that is scary. As a newer breeder myself I too get a frightened having people come to my house. Prior to them coming though I do a little "phone interview", that helps me know a little more about the individual and if they are really interested in a yorkie or if they have other agenda. Luckily the house we now have has an alarm system and I keep my key FOB, which has that panic button on it, on me at all times while they are there. My husband works a lot and deploys, so I take a lot of precautions. I would suggest this key FOB with the alarm system to anyone who has people come to their house to look at puppies.